Hasty Tasty Low Carb Snacks & Appetizers (2 page)

Butterfly each shrimp by cutting a slit along its back and remove vein.

Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.

In small bowl, combine basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic for stuffing.

Place stuffing in slits.

Wrap each shrimp with half slice of bacon tucking in ends leaving tail exposed.

Place shrimp on baking sheet with tails pointing up.

Bake until shrimp turn opaque, about 14 minutes.

Drain on paper towels.

Dip shrimp into barbecue sauce and return to baking sheet.

Bake until sauce is caramelized, about 3 minutes.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING (5 PIECES)

149 calories

3.7 g carbohydrates

9 g total fat

3.6 g saturated fat

5.4 g unsaturated fat

13 g protein

628 mg sodium

No-Cook Easy Party Kabobs

These are simple to make ahead for a party or just to keep in the fridge when I get the munchies.  They also make a delicious side dish.  Choose and or all of the following ingredients or add more of your own.

PREP TIME:  5 MIN

YIELD:  16 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups cherry tomatoes

16 black or kalamata olives, pitted

8 oz. Monterey jack cheese or mozzarella balls

1 stalk fresh broccoli, cut into 16 pieces

Fresh basil

DIRECTIONS:

On each wooden skewer, thread one cheese cube, one broccoli piece, one olive, another cheese cube and one tomato

Repeat with 15 more skewers.

Serve

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:

67 calories

2 g carbohydrates

5.4 g total fat

2.6 g saturated fat

2.8 g unsaturated fat

3.6 g protein

147 mg sodium

Delightful Buttery Cheese Stix

Cayenne pepper gives these a kick and I feel like I am cheating with the bread like consistency.  They satisfy any carb craving that comes over me.

PREP TIME:  25 MIN

COOK TIME:  5 MIN

YIELD:  48 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 cups white flour

¾ cup butter

1 teaspoon low sodium baking powder

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste.

½ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, salt, cheese and butter in a bowl.

Mix well until combined.

Add water a little at a time to make very stiff dough.

On lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 3/8 inch thick.

Cut sticks about 4-5 inches in length.

You can twist them for interest.

Arrange pieces on a baking sheet.

Bake for 5 minutes or until brown.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING (1 STIX)

62 calories

4.2 g carbohydrates

4.3 g total fat

1.3 g saturated fat

2.9 g unsaturated fat

1.7 g protein

Low Carb Nutty Delights

For nut lovers, of which I am one, these are a must.  Cayenne pepper and chili powder spice up an in between meal snack.  I keep in a container and available whenever.

PREP TIME:  5 MIN

COOK TIME:  20 MIN

YIELD:  20 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

6 oz. pine nuts (3/4 cup)

12 oz. pecan halves (1 ½ cups)

¾ cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup pistachios, shelled

3 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Salt (to taste)

½ teaspoon chili powder

Cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In large bowl, combine pine nuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pistachios and oil.

Spray 10” X 15” baking sheet with cooking spray.

Spoon nuts evenly onto baking sheet.

Cook 15-20 minutes or until nuts are brown.

Shake pan frequently.

Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

Serve

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:

179 calories

4.7 total g carbohydrates

17.7 g total fat

1.7 g saturated fat

15 g unsaturated fat

3.5 g protein

1 mg sodium

SouthSea Island Chicken Bites

I practically feel the tropical breezes when I munch on these scrumptious bites of chicken.  The taste reminds me of my Caribbean vacations.

PREP TIME:  30 MIN

COOK TIME:  30 MIN

YIELD:  12 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast

14 oz low sodium chicken broth

7 oz. sweetened coconut, flaked

1 cup light mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lime peel zest

2 tablespoons lime juice

¼ oz. chipotle peppers, diced (1/2-1 teaspoon)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spray 13”X9” pan with cooking spray.

In a medium skillet, place chicken and broth and bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat and simmer about 10-15 minutes.

In large bowl, combine lime juice, lime zest, mayonnaise, chipotle pepper and cumin.

Cut chicken into ½ inch cubes and add mayonnaise mixture.

Stir gently to coat.

Transfer the coated chicken to the coconut pan.

Toss gently.

Refrigerate or serve immediately.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING:

150 calories (2 oz serving)

2.8 g carbohydrate

8 g total fat

1.7 g saturated fat

6.3 g unsaturated fat

15.8 g protein

222.6 mg sodium

Winning Stuffed Mushrooms

These mushrooms are great served as an appetizer or even a main course or side dish.

PREP TIME:  15 MIN

COOK TIME:  20 MIN

YIELD 2 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

2 fresh Portabella mushrooms, stems chopped

1 tablespoon parmesan & Romano cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ green bell pepper, chopped

¼ cup fresh tomato, chopped

1 garlic clove, pressed

3 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

¾ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Remove mushroom stems and chop finely.

In medium bowl, mix mushroom stems, tomato, garlic, green pepper, basil, parsley, salt, pepper and 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Set aside.

In small bowl, mix mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.

Set aside.

In small skillet, add 1 teaspoon olive oil and heat over medium.

Place mushrooms in skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes on each side.

Remove skillet from heat.

Transfer mushrooms to oven proof baking dish.

Divide and spoon cheese mixture onto each mushroom.

Top each mushroom with vegetable mix.

Bake until cheese is melted, about 15-20 minutes.

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING (1 MUSHROOM)

236 calories

8 g total carbohydrates

17.3 g total fat

6.9 g saturated fat

10.4 g unsaturated fat

16 g protein

318 mg sodium

Quick and Easy Egg Foo Yung Pancakes